Working Group Events

Climate Mobilities Conference: Justice, Data, and Governance

MAY 20-21, 2024

Princeton University, Robertson Hall, Bowl 16

Climate mobility issues have been framed in various ways over time, beginning with the concept of “environmental migration,” moving to the “climate refugee” framing, and then evolving toward the dominance of the “migration as adaptation” approach.  New issues have been raised regarding immobility, both voluntary and involuntary; the historical sources of vulnerability; reparative justice, and loss and damage.  What are the ethical and pragmatic implications of framing climate mobilities through one or more of these lenses?  Are some framings more politically efficacious? What neglected climate mobility issues should future research consider?  Which existing international, domestic, and local institutions have most promise in addressing this issue?  The challenge of governing climate mobilities arises at various scales, from the local to the international–how are these challenges of scale best managed?  How might future climate (im)mobility governance be financed?

We are planning an exciting program with invited interdisciplinary speakers, combined with collaborative workshops and opportunities for networking.  Our aim for the conference is to curate a diverse and pluralistic conversation, not just within academia, but beyond it, drawing on a broad array of voices to encourage responsible and participatory research. 

Room space is limited but the event will be accessible to all, including members of the public through a virtual live stream courtesy of Princeton University. 

Conference Agenda: Monday, May 20, 2024

08:30 Light Breakfast & Registration

08:45-09:00 Welcome and Introductions (Watch Recording)

• Simona Capisani, Durham University

• Sara Constantino, Northeastern University

• Anna Stilz, Princeton University

09:00-11:00 Panel Session: Interrogating Climate (Im)mobilities

• Robin Bronen (Alaska Institute for Justice) (Watch Recording)

• Carol Farbotko (Griffith University, Australia) (Watch Recording)

• Kira Vinke (Center for Climate and Foreign Policy, German Council on Foreign Relations) (Watch Recording)

• Commentator: Meg Parsons (University of Auckland) (Watch Recording)

• Commentator: Michael Oppenheimer (Princeton University) (Watch Recording)

11:00-11:15 Break

11:15-12:45 Roundtable Session: Interrogating Climate (Im)mobilities: Perspectives from the Pacific

• Hon. Maina Vakafua Talia  (Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change, Culture, Environment & Waste Management; Government of Tuvalu)

• Tearinaki Tanielu (University of Melbourne)

• Merewalesi Yee (University of Queensland)

• Moderators: Annie Stilz (Princton University) & Simona Capisani (Durham University)

12:45-13:45 Interactive Session & Lunch

• Lisa Thalheimer-Prezyna (United Nations University)

• Melissa O. Tier (Princeton University)

• David Durand-Delacre (United Nations University)

13:45-15:45 Panel Session: Power, Justice, and Community Collaboration

• Maha Elhini (British University in Egypt) (Watch Recording)

• Romanus Opiyo (Stockholm Environmental Institute, World Agroforestry Centre, Kenya) (Watch Recording)

• Linda Shi (Cornell University) (Watch Recording)

• Commentator: Katharine Mach (University of Miami) (Watch Recording)

• Commentator: Jola Ajibade (Emory University) (Watch Recording)

15:45-16:00 Break

16:00-18:00 Roundtable Session: Power, Justice, and Community Collaboration: Perspectives from Alaska

• Nikoosh Carlo (CNC North Consulting)

• Margi Dashevsky (Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition)

• Meda DeWitt (The Wilderness Society)

• Warren Jones (Alaska Venture Fund)

• Corina Kramer (Siamit, Harvard Medical School; Mumik Consulting)

• Moderator: Alexander Lee (Alaska Pacific University)

18:30 Working Dinner

Conference Agenda: Tuesday, May 21, 2024

08:30 Light Breakfast

09:00-11:00 Panel Session: The Nexus of Data, Models, Normative Theorizing, and Policymaking

• Vally Koubi (ETH Zurich) (Watch Recording)

• Roman Hoffmann (International Institute for Applied System Analysis) (Watch Recording)

• David Wrathall (Oregon State University)  (Watch Recording)

• Commentators: Elizabeth Fussel (Brown University) (Watch Recording)

• Commentators: Erica Thompson (University College London) (Watch Recording)

• Watch Q&A Recording 

11:00-11:15 Break

11:15-12:00 Emerging Research Pitches: The Nexus of Data, Models, Normative Theorizing and Policy Making

• Nicolas Choquette-Levy (Boston University)

• Simon Merschroth (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)

• Woi Sok Oh (Princeton University)

12:00-13:15 Lunch Book Session: People or Property: Legal Contradictions, Climate Resettlement, and the View from Shifting Ground

• Nathan Jessee (Princeton University)

• Liz Koslov (UCLA)

13:15-13:45 Break

13:45-15:45 Panel: Governing Climate Mobilities at Various Scales

• Ingrid Boas (Wageningen University and Research) (Watch Recording)

• Liz Koslov (University of California Los Angeles) (Watch Recording)

• Fanny Thorton (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research) (Watch Recording)

• Commentator: Megan Mullin (University of California Los Angeles) (Watch Recording)

• Commentator: Simona Capisani (Durham University) (Watch Recording)

• Watch Q&A Recording

16:00-17:30 Emerging Research Pitches: Governing Climate Mobilities at Various Scales

• Gabrielle Wong-Parodi (Stanford University)

• Helene Benveniste (Harvard University)

• Chris Szabla (Durham University)

17:30 Closing Remarks

17:45-19:00 Reception